PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Proposed New Cannabis Retail Store 4050 Walker, Unit 300 – Windsor, Ontario
Prepared by: Barry Horrobin, B.A., M.A., CLEP, CMM-III Director of Planning & Physical Resources – WINDSOR POLICE SERVICE
The following is a summary of observations, public safety issues that should be addressed, and recommended actions to be taken regarding the physical safety and security conditions associated with the proposed new Cannabis retail store to be located in southeast Windsor. Information provided here is based on the universally known principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and both vehicular and pedestrian traffic impact, according to prevailing data and known experience in forecasting public safety impacts.
KEY UNDERLYING CONDITIONS & IMPORTANT SAFETY DRIVERS
Situational Safety & Criminogenic Conditions
The property is located in the southeast section of the city, within an expanding commercial area where high volumes of vehicular traffic are experienced. Specifically, its physical placement and orientation within an existing, newer commercial plaza does present some potential public safety challenges that need addressing. Specifically, these include:
-
The store is set back somewhat from Walker Road, embedded within a busy commercial plaza featuring many other businesses. This placement somewhat marginalizes ongoing natural surveillance capability of the front of the business from any discernible distance, a constraint exacerbated by a full parking lot and numerous patrons coming and going. The result could be a greater congestion that will need to be managed to ensure safety.
-
The new retail store will be amongst many other high traffic generating commercial uses, where pedestrians will be required to navigate considerable ongoing, interspersed vehicular traffic. This is the reality of a popular commercial plaza, however it is noted the plaza is accessible from Walker Road by a signalized intersection, a safety benefit for controlling traffic movements.